Sutton Bingham - Mon 17 Apr

A quick pre-work visit today was extremely productive. Parking at the southern end I found a Common Tern hawking over the reservoir, and it eventually did the decent thing and landed on a buoy in front of me.

Having enjoyed the Common Tern for a few minutes I noticed a large bird in the trees on the far shore, an Osprey, my second of the year for Sutton Bingham.

Also at the southern end a singing Skylark and six Mute Swans, the latter still somewhat of a scarce visitor to the patch these days. I also flushed two small duck but I had a willow between me and them as they flew off so was unable to confirm identification, but the brief view I had showed fairly dark birds so I am presuming they were Teal.

Stopping at the northern causeway as I left the site an Osprey flew over heading north, initially presuming it was the bird from earlier I soon found out it was a second individual as Ash was still watching the perched up bird. So two Ospreys at the reservoir in one morning, awesome.

Sutton Bingham year list for 2023 now at 93 species.

Sutton Bingham - Sat 15 Apr

A morning visit did produce a new bird for the year, with a couple of Feral Pigeons flying over, I know, it's not a good patch tick, but it's on the list nonetheless. Very little else of note this morning though other than three Sparrowhawks and a few hirundines.

A message at 8.00pm got me back out to the reservoir though as Pete had found four Greylag Geese that had dropped in to the main reservoir. Fortunately I arrived in time to see them distantly off the dam, photographic evidence below.

After a few minutes they took to the air, circled over the northern causeway, giving very nice views in the failing light, before flying off to the north.

Sutton Bingham year list for 2023 now at 92 species.

Sutton Bingham - Thu 13 Apr

A singing Skylark on Sunday evening and a few House Martins at the start of the week were notable additions to the patch year list. A visit this morning produced a Great White Egret along the arm.

Highlight was an Otter that swam past just a few metres from where I was standing, they are such awesome creatures.

A return visit was necessary after work as Ash had found a Wheatear mid-afternoon. Fortunately it was still present (though it took a bit of finding) when I dropped in, but a bit too distant for one of my quality photos.
Sutton Bingham year list for 2023 now at 90 species.

Sutton Bingham - Sat 8 Apr

A mid-morning visit to the patch today and West Pool hosted a lone Tufted Duck and a pair of Shoveler plus a single Coot.

Although conditions looked good I failed to locate any wandering raptors overhead but my first Reed Bunting of the year was present with a male around the end of the viewing jetty by the car park.

Also new today were a couple of Common Sandpipers that flew in from the north-east corner and settled on the northern causeway.

Sutton Bingham year list for 2023 now at 87 species.

Sutton Bingham - Fri 7 Apr

An early afternoon visit added a couple of new birds to the year list with a male Blackcap and two Willow Warblers feeding around the outflow stream. Nothing else to report today though.

Sutton Bingham year list for 2023 now at 85 species.

Sutton Bingham - Thu 6 Apr

Something amazing happened on patch today, I got a lifer! Sitting at work there was a message from Pete on the WhatsApp group that he had a distant first-winter Sandwich Tern, a great bird for Sutton Bingham. Over the next half an hour or so Pete realised it wasn't a Sandwich Tern and eventually identification was confirmed that it was in fact a Forster's Tern! Fortunately I was able to get over to the reservoir and managed to connect with a truly marvellous bird.

I didn't have long to linger on site, but having had my fill of my first ever Forster's Tern I was more than happy, a bird I'd long wanted to see and to get one on my patch was just unbelievable. What a bird, what a day!

Sutton Bingham year list for 2023 now at 83 species.

Sutton Bingham - Wed 5 Apr

A couple of quick visits since returning from Cornwall had failed to turn up anything but that all changed this morning as I found an Osprey during a quick stop on the way to work. Initially seen briefly in flight it alighted in a tree opposite the bottom of the car park, enabling some wonderful 'scope views.

Having watched the Osprey for a while I needed to head off for work, but did pause to check West Pool where my first Coot of the year was present. Not a bad start to the day.
Later in the morning I got a WhatsApp message telling me that whereas the Osprey was no longer present, an Egyptian Goose had flown in and appeared to be settled at the southern end. So taking a slightly early lunch I set off and got lucky as the Egyptian Goose was still present.

I watched it for about five or so minutes during which time it was very vocal. It then took to the air and flew off north, so I got really lucky with that one. I also picked up my first Swallows of the year with at least four over West Pool with a number of Sand Martins. All in all a very good day on patch.
Sutton Bingham year list for 2023 now at 82 species.